Major Sita Ashok Shelke Hailed as ‘Wonder Woman’ for Bridge Reconstruction in Wayanad

Wayanad, August 4, 2024: Major Sita Ashok Shelke, the only female officer in the Indian Army unit responsible for constructing a Bailey Bridge in Wayanad, Kerala has received widespread acclaim for her role in the project. The bridge, which was urgently needed after landslides damaged the previous structure in Chooralmala village, was completed in a remarkable 31 hours.

The completion of the bridge, a critical infrastructure project, has been widely praised on social media. A photograph of Major Shelke proudly standing on the new bridge has gone viral, capturing the admiration of the public. Industrialist Anand Mahindra took to social media to celebrate Major Shelke, referring to her as the “Wonder Woman of Wayanad.” He highlighted her real-life heroism, contrasting it with fictional superheroes. Major Shelke, a resident of Gadilgaon Village in Maharashtra, is part of the 70-member team from the Army’s Madras Engineering Group (MEG) based in Bengaluru. The team faced significant challenges, including massive debris, uprooted trees, and a swiftly flowing river. Major Shelke played a pivotal role in leading her team through these difficulties to successfully complete the bridge.

In an interview with PTI, Major Shelke described her experience, saying, “I don’t consider myself the only woman here; I am a soldier. I am here as a representative of the Indian Army and take immense pride in being part of this team.” She also extended her thanks to the local authorities, state officials, and villagers who supported the project, acknowledging their crucial assistance in the bridge’s completion.